Kate and Gerry McCann were forced to answer the question that had remained
unspoken for the last 34 days.
In front of a live TV audience of millions, they had to defend themselves
against a suggestion they were involved in their daughter's disappearance.
The couple issued a public denial after a German reporter told them people were
"pointing the finger at you".
It was the first time in public that anyone has even implied they could be
suspects - and it clearly stunned them.
They also faced questions over leaving four-year-old Madeleine unattended in
their Algarve holiday apartment that night of May 3 while they dined nearby, as
well as being challenged over the extraordinary round-Europe travelling
campaign to keep her name in the public mind.
The grilling came during a Berlin press
conference to launch the Find Madeleine campaign in Germany,
which has a high number of tourists visiting Portugal.
Sabine Mueller, a reporter from German Radio, asked: "How do you feel
about the fact that more and more people seem to be pointing the finger at you,
saying the way you behave is not the way people would normally behave when
their child is abducted?
"They seem to imply that you might have something to do with it."
Looking horrified, Mrs McCann responded: "I don't actually think that is
the case, I think that is a very small minority of people that are criticising
us.
"The facts are that we were dining very close to the children and we were
checking them very, very regularly.
"We are very responsible parents and we love our children so much."
Her husband Gerry, his voice shaking with emotion, added: "I have never
heard before that anyone considers us suspects in this and the Portuguese
police certainly don't.
"Without going into too much detail, we were with a large group of people.
"There is absolutely no way Kate and I are
involved in this abduction."
A source close to the family said the couple were "completely
surprised" by the question, but had "taken it on the chin".
He added: "They had no idea there was any talk of them being even remotely
suggested as suspects.
"They answered the question firmly and to the point and dismissed it out
of hand.
"It is a complete travesty to suggest something like that.
"It implies all sorts of things and was totally, utterly untrue.
"Quite frankly, I was ready for them to walk out of the press conference.
"But in keeping with the people they are, they maintained their dignity
and moved on."
Afterwards Sabine Mueller, 35, who has worked for German Radio for 14 years,
was unrepentant.
"I know it has been seen as a hard question but I do not think it was
improper," she said.
"I did not want to hurt these people, I don't suspect the McCanns of being
involved.
"I thought when he replied Gerry McCann was very calm and I was completely
convinced by his reply.
"Either they are very good actors or they are telling the truth.
"They are putting themselves out there a lot and if they keep staging
press conferences they have to expect uncomfortable questions."
The McCanns flew into Berlin
on Tuesday night in a private Hawker jet, lent to them by the owner on
condition of anonymity.
They met British ambassador Sir Peter Torry and the
Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit before flying on to
their next port of call - Amsterdam.
Mr McCann, a consultant cardiologist, defended the publicity he and his wife
have generated, struggling at times to compose himself.
He said they felt they were doing something positive and had been advised by
experts that raising Madeleine's profile would help.
The couple, from Rothley in Leicestershire, looked tired and strained as they
urged any German tourist who may have been in the Algarve in the two weeks before
Madeleine disappeared to come forward.
Mr McCann insisted Madeleine was more likely to be alive than dead: "We
feel that if she had come to harm or been killed we would have found her."
When asked what message they would give to Madeleine, there was a long silence
before Mrs McCann said quietly: "She knows we love her." |
